From the point of view of tropical (western) astrological tradition, a birth chart reveals the 3 cycles of life each person will go through, to be counted starting from the ascendant.
We shall now briefly get a glimpse of the 3 cycles for RDJ, meaning Leo, Saggitarius and Aries.
As already emphasized in the precedent chapters, the ascendant for RDJ is particularly character defining due to the concentration of the Sun’s energy at all the 3 levels of analogy: the 1st house (domain of the personality, the «I»), the sign of Leo, of which the Sun is the ruler and obviously the Sun’s alignement. (special attention should be given to the 24th degree of the Sun in this case, which will be further analysed in a following chapter). As also briefly sketched, the opposition between Mars (note that the planet is retrograde here) in Aquarius and the Sun in Venus defines a difficulty, even impossibility, of physical expression through appropriated means of coordination in music, as for instance learning to play a certain musical instrument and being able to master it. Creating music by means of electronic machines is thus a process of sublimation of that « deficiency», for lack of a more precise and decent word. Oppositions are there to remind one that there can be no opposition, in absolut terms. This astrological aspect is fundamental to have a unitary perspective of RDJ’s chart. Getting back to the first cycle - Leo - it is noteworthy to observe how it is perfectly expressed through the music of his 20’s and the way the music is presented as well. Melody and playfulness are a constant, and always seem to take over the more (apparently) dark side or tension of the music, which is not melancholic overall, though. It is striking to observe how the record covers from this period are almost expressive of this cycle’s essence as the music itself: note as the majority of them are variations of a basic theme, his own face. Either as simple portrait or as a mocking collage, we find a perfect example of Leo childlike ability to play with the world and, most importantly, with oneself. Children are not only in a natural state of permanent creavity, but do love to display their creations each time they are allowed to. This first cycle is thus defined by prolific developpement and release of music. But at this point experiment is still not integral and fused with the music itself, as in the following cycle (technic and method as frameworks) but spontaneousness and freedom always seem to take over. Leo is also logically the sign of creation in the sense of having one’s own children, but the number, age and sex of the kids as suggested by the theme will be further discussed.
The second cycle is that of Sagittarius. Everyone is familiar with the « 27 Club » and what seems to be a « strange » and « mysterious » episode. As the wisemen of the Tao would have said, there is nothing mysterious about the mysteries of the divine, and astrology reveals the key to this question, which is Saturn. It is the planet of maturity and knowledge, so also that of « growing up ». The length of a complete orbit around the Sun is generally defined as 29,4 years. By analogy, in a person’s life this manifests as a period of transition happening around this age, 1 to 2 years of tolerance generally accepted. Getting back to the « 27 Club » we notice how all of the « members » somehow refused to grow up, forcing some sort of rebel life heavily filled with pleasure and drugs. Saturn can be extremely brutal in its « negative » side, often bringing pain and death. It is thus generally feared and associated with death in the most diverse mythologies. But the positive side of Saturn, no wonder it is also called the door of heavens, is unfortunaltely less considered and RDJ is a prime example of its positive energy. By the time « his » Saturn had precisely completed 1 cycle, Drukqs was released. Suddenly no more funny looking RDJ grim on the cover, but the inner side of a piano. This record is a transition to maturity, expressing focus, effort and knowledge, the rewards Saturn brings to those who are patient and determined to express their deep nature. In RDJ’s chart Saturn is in Gemini (double signs call for synthesis) which is expressed on the record by some sort of duality between dnb and piano (oversimplification allowed) almost between silence and noise, or more specifically between filing or emptying space with sound. Even though not « solved » the problem is majestically stated and explored by this record. Ironically, the record title also makes reference to what somehow had partially cursed the « 27 Club » and which seems to be beautifully sublimated by RDJ. There is some kind of sacrifice that allows for a quantum leap, initiating the Sagittarius cycle. Ruled by Jupiter (and symbolised by an arrow being shot towards the heavens) this cycle relates to the master of its craft, making his way up to tecnhical perfection. It is indeed the phase of analog gear exploration, the period of self absorption inside the lab. Whether one is more or less emotionnally attached to early records, it is fundamental to recognize how each new record between 2001 and 2019 is a quantum leap on its own, especially music wise, considering the factors involved and the scale of the task. The immediate expression of a child’s soul has given place to methodical and more anonymous, we shall say universal, explorations. Notice how record presentation and track titles, for instance, make direct reference to gear or tecnhical aspects. The perception of « I » is metamorphosed, there is a fusion between creator, creation AND means of creation. The album Syro is particularly revealling of this, as the artwork presents what actually made the record possible.
The 3rd and final cycle, that of Aries, is curiously related to the first one, as the Sun is also the ruler of this sign. This does not mean, however, a return to something (return is an illusion, novelty is permanent) but some sort of crystallization. The « obsession » about gear and tecnhicalities might give way to new forms of expression, more or less related to improvising. Aries is indeed the sign of beginnings, first expressions and spontaneous desires. It is not impossible for a major shift to occur, in the sense that record releasing might give way to more ephemeral, live oriented projects, even art projects or exhibitions. Indeed the recent mini live sets on certain performances and the work being developped with Weirdcore (important visual dimension to it) might be hints of this shift taking place, that will be able fructify around the 50´s and early 60´s. Notice how the astrological middle of the sky / 10th house is actually in Aries - this house deals with self-realisation. Lilith, the bringer of tests and destroyer of illusions is directly opposed to it, in conjunction with Uranus (sudden change, revolution) so hopefully the challenges to come will be surpassed. Somehow the best way to describe would be « the best is yet to come ». Keep in mind that these 3 are « Fire » signs, which bring an energy of creativity and, in this specific chart, of inextinguishable WILL.
In the following chapters, we shall explore in-depth analyses of some individual releases amongst such a prolific discography.
OHM
